Databases

Code:

L.EIC012

Acronym:

BD

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Informatics Engineering and Computing

Instance: 2021/2022 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Informatics Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Informatics and Computing Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L.EIC	329	Syllabus	2	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

BACKGROUND

Information Systems (IS) is a key topic in informatics engineering. Databases are data repositories required in any IS. The database course is a key course in the area of IS. The main objective of this course unit is to prepare students to design and develop database systems that meet the users' needs according to the organizational management goals.

SPECIFIC AIMS

This is an introductory course on databases. It is focused on the relational paradigm. It covers the design (UML model), construction (SQL data definition language), querying (SQL data manipulation language) and management (optimization, access control and concurrency policies). It also introduces the concept of multidimensional databases, NoSQL databases and semistructured data models.

PERCENT DISTRIBUTION

Scientific component: 50%
Technological component:50% 

Learning outcomes and competences

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this unit students should be able to:

- Define a high-level database model for a particular context;

- Map a high-level database model to a relation schema;

- Identify the functional dependencies of a relation;

- Diferentiate normal forms in relation schemas;

- Decompose relation schemas to the Boyce-Codd normal form and the third normal form;

- Create a relacional databse in SQL;

- Use relational algebra to query databases;

- Query relational databases in SQL;

- Use transactions and concurrency to ensure the data integrity of a database;

- Explain the main features of a database management system;

- Identify the differences between a relational database, a multidimensional database and a NoSQL database and be able to identify the most adequate for a particular situation.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

PRE REQUISITES

Basic knowledge on algebra.

Program

UML class diagram. Relational schema, normalization and mapping from a high-level database model. SQL Data Definition Language and integrity constraints. Relational algebra as a query language. SQL Data Manipulation Language. Views. Indexes.Transactions, concurrency and recovery. Authorization. Recursion in SQL. Introduction to data warehousing and OLAP. Introduction to semistructured data models. Introduction to NoSQL systems.

Mandatory literature

Ullman Jeffrey D.; A First course in database systems. ISBN: 978-0-13-600-637-4

Complementary Bibliography

Raghu Ramakrishnan, Johannes Gehrke; Database management systems. ISBN: 0-07-116898-2
Ralph Kimball, Margy Ross; The data warehouse toolkit. ISBN: 0-471-20024-7

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures are used to present the subject topics along with application examples. Practical classes take place in a computer lab, using a database management system available in the market (SQLite). In the labs, practical exercises will be performed using an example database, and small developments will be carried out.

Software

SQLite

keywords

Physical sciences > Computer science > Database management

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Teste	20,00
Trabalho escrito	7,50
Trabalho laboratorial	22,50
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	60,00
Frequência das aulas	52,00
Trabalho laboratorial	50,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

To be eligible for the final exam, students cannot exceed the maximum number of absences in the laboratorial classes. Presence in classes will be registered. It is necessary to obtain a minimum of 8 marks (in 20) in the distributed evaluation to be admitted to the final exam. The distributed evaluation is determined by group work and participation in creation, evaluation, and answer to multiple-choice questions.

Calculation formula of final grade

DE - Distributed Evaluation (minimum grade: 8 out of 20), composed by:
        PROJ - Project/Group work

FE - Final Exam (miminum grade; 8 out of 20)

Final mark = round(0,35 PROJ + 0,65 FE)

The project is assessed through a group work that will be assessed in three different moments: each of the first two submissions worth 25% and the last submission is worth 50% of the project evaluation.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The project is mandatory for students with worker statute or equivalent.

Classification improvement

It is possible to improve the final exam mark through a second exam of similar difficulty.

The classification of the project can be improved in the following year.

Observations

Students who qualified for the final exam in the previous edition of the course unit, may keep the project's mark. This should be communicated to the responsible teacher.

The official language is Portuguese. However,we admit that the classes might be given in English if the course has foreign students. Slides will be in English.